Meru is a savanna National Park, 35km east of Maua town in the north eastern lowlands below the Nyambeni hills. Meru is part of a complex of protected areas along the Tana river that includes the adjacent Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves (to the east and south respectively), Kora national park and Rahole national reserve. The wetter North Western sector is hilly, with rich volcanic soils. The land flattens towards the East, where grey alluvial volcanic soils appear.

The area is crossed by numerous permanent streams, draining from the Nyambenes and flowing in parallel between tounges of lava, south eastwards towards the Tana River. As well as the many streams that cross it, the park is bounded by three large rivers: the Tana to the South, the Ura to the South West and the Rojeweru to the East. There are several prominent inselbergs of basement rock, notably Mughwango and Leopard rock.

A section of the park has been designated as a wilderness area in which are no roads. The park is part of the domain made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson.

Location:

East-north-east of Mount Kenya in Meru District of Eastern Province, coverig 870km2.

Climate:

Rainfall is 635-762mm in the west and 305-356mm in the east.

HOW TO REACH THERE

Roads:

Access from Nairobi (348 kms) is via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all weather roads. Access into the park from Maua to Murera Gate (35 km) and 348 km from Nairobi. The other access is via Embu to Ura Gate (120 km), 290 km from Nairobi- inaccessible at the moment

Airstrips:

Main airstrip at Kina, Mulika next to Meru Mulika Lodge and Elsa's Kopje airstrip

Park Roads:

The road network in the park has recently been upgraded. However due to the nature of soil, some roads are easily destroyed by vehicles during the rains.

Park Gates:

Murera Gate, Ura Gate.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Former home of Joy and George Adamson and Elsa the lioness,
• Views of Mt Kenya,
• Rivers and riverine habitats,
• Tana river and
• Adamson's Falls.